BGSU softball (17-21, 5-12) split its games in Athens, Ohio, starting the day with a 9-3 loss before bouncing back with a commanding 8-1 victory against Ohio (27-15, 10-7). The Falcons struggled to contain the Bobcats’ offense in the first matchup, but the lineup showcased explosive hitting and pitching resilience in the nightcap.
Game One
The Falcons opened the day with a 9-3 loss to Ohio.
Bowling Green struck early, putting up a run in the top of the first inning when senior second baseman Hannah Hunt ripped an RBI double to left field to score freshman designated player Izzy Ray. However, Ohio answered back in the bottom of the first with an RBI double from senior second baseman Colleen Bare and an RBI single from junior first baseman Brenna Farmer to take a 2-1 lead.
After Ohio added an unearned run in the second, the Falcons cut the deficit to 3-2 in the top of the third when junior first baseman Taylor Behrendt delivered an RBI single to score junior center fielder Peyton Steffes.
The game broke open in the bottom of the fifth when Ohio’s offensive pressure proved too much, erupting for a massive six-run inning. The surge was highlighted by a solo home run from senior third baseman Shelby Westler, a grand slam to right field by senior center fielder Belle Hummel, and a solo shot from Bare.
The Falcons refused to go quietly, adding a final run in the sixth on an RBI double to right center from sophomore right fielder Hanna Massaro, but were unable to overcome the deficit.
Senior pitcher Mackenzie Krafcik took the loss in the circle for the Falcons, falling to 8-8 on the season after allowing four earned runs on seven hits and striking out two over 5.0 innings. Graduate student pitcher Skipp Miller (14-6) secured the win for the Bobcats, striking out five over 6.0 innings.
Game Two
In the second matchup, the Falcons bounced back with a commanding 8-1 victory, fueled by a 14-hit offensive performance.
BGSU got on the board in the second inning when Massaro hit an RBI single to right field, scoring junior shortstop Cameron Kaufman. The bats then came alive for a five-run push in the third inning.
Hunt laced an RBI double to left field to score freshman left fielder Hannah Simko, and senior designated player Katie Hutter delivered a clutch two-run single to bring home redshirt sophomore third baseman Addie Martin and Hunt. Massaro followed with another two-run single to push the advantage to 6-0.
The Falcons added two final insurance runs in the fourth inning when Martin hammered a two-run double to left field, scoring Simko and Ray to make it an 8-0 game. Ohio’s lone run came in the bottom of the fourth on a solo home run by sophomore right fielder Alexis Book.
Sophomore pitcher Morgan Beckham (5-4) was a consistent bright spot, commanding the circle with a complete-game victory. She stifled the Ohio lineup, allowing just one earned run on six hits while striking out five over 7.0 innings of work.
Offensively, Simko had a perfect game at the plate, going 4-for-4, while Hunt collected three hits, and Massaro drove in a team-high three runs to secure the split for Bowling Green.
Up Next
The Falcons return to action on Sunday, April 12 at 12 p.m., wrapping up their series against Ohio.
